Latest information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

This page contains consolidated latest COVID-19 information on:
1. Official and useful websites/ apps
2. Assistance and Support
3. Useful resources for caregivers to refer to while staying home

Official and Useful Websites/ Apps

Click here for the full list of official COVID-19 sources.

 

Updates on COVID-19 situation:

• MOH
• GOV.SG

To subscribe to updates on the go:

• Whatsapp
• Telegram
• Facebook
• Instagram

For medical treatment/ advice:

• Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs)
  The Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs), as well as polyclinics, will provide special subsidies for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents diagnosed with respiratory illnesses (e.g. common cold). To locate the nearest PHPC.

• Singapore COVID-19 Symptom Checker
  For persons with flu-like symptoms to determine whether they should monitor their symptoms for a few more days or go see a doctor, as well as information about where to get medical attention.
  If you are feeling chest pain/ breathless/ gasping for air, or have any other emergency concerns, please call 995 immediately.

• KKH Urgent Paediatric Advice Line (UPAL)
  KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) New pilot online service for parents and caregivers to seek advice for common pediatric conditions (for children below the age of 17 years) such as fever, cough, diarrhoea, vomitting, and common injuries. Available from 8.00am to 11.00pm daily.

• SCDAS Dental Resources for COVID-19 Circuit Breaker
  The Special Care Dentistry Association of Singapore has developed resources for caregivers and seniors on what to do if they (or their loved ones) would like to visit a dentist during this Circuit Breaker period, as well as tips for taking care of their teeth, gums and dentures. Updates will also be posted on SCDAS facebook page.

Stay home as much as possible. However, if you need to head out:

• To keep track of the close contacts that you have met, launch ‘TraceTogether' mobile app
•  To check crowd level of the mall you intend to visit: www.spaceout.gov.sg
• To check crowd level of the park you intend to visit: http://safedistparks.nparks.gov.sg/

 

Assistance and Support

To support Singaporeans financially and emotionally during this challenging times, the government has put in place financial assistance schemes and opened up new online communication channels for those facing stress, anxiety and marital challenges. For a summary on all the government support available in this period, please visit: https://www.supportgowhere.gov.sg/

Financial Support

• Fortitude, Resilience and Solidarity Budget
  Addresses the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation with a slew of measures to support families, employees and the self-employed tide over their financial challenges. 

See PDF version of the Fortitude Budget Infographics here.

• Temporary Relief Fund
  Immediate help with basic living expenses for lower- and middle-income Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents affected by the economic impact of COVID-19.

• COVID-19 Support Fund
  
  • From 4 May - If you have lost your job or on involuntary no-pay leave (for 3 consecutive months), you can get up to $800/ month (for 3 months).
  • From 11 May - If you have lost more than 30% of salary (for 3 consecutive months), you can get up to $500/ month (for 3 months).
    

• The Courage Fund
  For low-income households with family member(s) diagnosed with COVID-19, on Stay-Home Notice (SHN), mandatory Leave of Absence (LOA) or Home Quarantine Order (QO).

• Buka Puasa
  Community-led initiative by MUIS to provide daily meals for breaking of fast during Ramadhan for Malay/ Muslim healthcare workers & their families and families who are in need.

With Technology, we can continue working, schooling and supporting others.

For those who cannot afford a laptop:

• NEU PC Plus Programme
  Offers low-income households with student or person with disabilities the opportunity to own a brand new computer at an affordable price. Together with industry and community partners, IMDA has enhanced the NEU PC Plus programme to make digitalisation more accessible, to those who need it, such as low-income students who require digital access for home-based learning.
  

For those who can help donate a laptop/ accessories/ volunteer/ sponsor:

• Engineering Good
  With all of Singapore now required to practice social distancing and turn to Home Based Learning, laptops and computers are in high demand. Engineering Good is putting together/fixing old laptops and offering them to those who cannot afford one of their own.

For those who needs support with running everyday errands:

• The SG Assist and Good Hood apps can pair citizens who are in need of help up with a nearby volunteer.

Emotional Support

During this extended Circuit Breaker period, take care of your emotional and mental well-being:

🤳 Stay connected with loved ones through phone / video calls

👥 Look out for family and friends, make sure they are staying safe and coping well

📞 Call a helpline if you feel weighed down and need to speak to someone

• MOH COVID-19 Hotline: 1800 333 9999
  Address queries on the COVID-19 situation.

• National Care Hotline: 6202 6868 / 1800 202 6868
  Address the stress or anxiety callers face during the circuit breaker period

• CPH Online Counselling
  Online counselling for individuals facing marital, pre-divorce or divorce issues.

• Institute of Mental Health's Mental Health Hotline: 6389 2222
  Address your mental well-being

• PAVE Integrated Services for Individual and Family Protection: 6555 0390

• List of Community Helplines
  Call these helplines if you need emotional or psychological support 

• Children's Society Tinklefriend
  Provides support, advice, and information to lonely and distressed children, especially in situations when their parents or main caregivers are unavailable. 

• Helpline: 1800 2744 788 (line is available from Mon to Fri, 2.30pm to 5.00pm)
• Tinklefriend Online Chat service is available from Mon to Thu, 2.30pm to 7.00pm and Fri, 2.30pm to 5.00pm.

Self-care Resources

• Self-Care Series
  Changi General Hospital (CGH) has developed a series of self-care resources to provide individuals with resilience building activities and strategies that can be practiced during this difficult period:

• Thriving while Working from Home
• Essential Self-Care for Essential Work
• Out of Sight but not Out of Mind

Hourly Priority Services for Vulnerable Groups

• NTUC Fairprice
  

  Exclusive to persons with disabilities, the Pioneer Generation, and pregnant women for safe distancing shopping. Every Monday: 1^st hour of opening hours at non-24 hours outlets; 7am to 8am at 24-hour outlets. 

• Dairy Farm
  

  Exclusive for vulnerable groups and elderly. Tuesday / Wednesday: 1^st hour of opening hours at non-24 hour outlets; 8am to 9am at 24-hour outlets. Valid at Cold Storage, Giant, Market Place and Jasons Deli.

Useful Resources for Caregivers to Refer to while Staying Home

Educational Resources on COVID-19

• Educational Resource Package (with slides and videos)
  To help children and persons with disabilities develop self-care skills and understand routine changes and protective measures due to COVID-19.

• The Department of Child Development (DCD) at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) and partners have developed a brief message using stories for preschool children that talks about COVID-19. The story tells of how the protagonist (Wagga) learns about COVID-19 and things he does while 'staying at home'. See facebook post here.
  
  • Wagga learns about COVID-19
  • Wagga stays at home
    

• As your child will be heading back to school soon, we hope these resources from Thye Hua Kwan will be helpful in preparing your child for the expected changes to come:

Prepare your child for transition back to pre-school:

1. Educating your child on new norms (link to Post-CB poster)
2. Helping your child understand what to expect at school (link to Social Story: Going Back to School)
3. Helping your child understand importance of wearing a face mask (link to Social Story: Wear a Face Mask)

• Social Stories
  To help children and persons with autism spectrum disorder / intellectual disability understand key concepts like staying home, social distancing, etc

Understanding Social Distancing

• Useful Resources on COVID-19 and Intellectual Disability
  For persons with intellectual disabilities (easy-read versions), support staff, caregivers and volunteers, put together by the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD).

• Coronavirus: A book for children
  Digital book with illustrations to help children understand about the COVID-19 situation (answering questions about quarantine, how you can catch the virus and what happens if you get ill)

 

Activities or Events

• TAKEAWAY Live
  Learn practical tips on building family resilience and participate in creative programmes that support home-based learning for children with special needs. All programmes are 30-min long and free of charge.

• Inclusive Sport Fitness Resource by SportSG
  SportSG has prepared some stay at home inclusive sport fitness activities so that persons with disabilities and their caregivers can continue to stay active.

• CARElendar mobile app
  Search for inclusive events / activities for persons with disabilities and their caregivers.

Resources for Caregivers/ Families

Knowledge/ Information

• Society Staples
  A centralised platform of initiatives and resources to support caregivers and persons with disabilities through this period of circuit breaker.

• Raising Children Network
  Practical, expert child health and parenting information and activities covering children aged 0-15 years, and tips for families to cope with the COVID-19.

• MSF Families for Life
  Family activities in Apr 2020 - stay at home edition

• MOE Parent Kit
  

  Includes resources to help you adjust to working from home and Home Based Learning (HBL), and provides tips on how you can care for your child’s physical and cyber well-being during the HBL period. Can also tune in to MOE facebook page for updates.

• NUH COVID-19 Resources for Parents and Caregivers
  

  National University Hospital (NUH) has developed COVID-19 resources and information on how to care for your children, including tips on encouraging learning through daily routines, and helping them cope with the changes and uncertainty brought about by the outbreak. Children with special needs will also require extra support to understand what is happening around them, to feel safe, and keep up with healthy routines.
  

• Early Intervention
  Targeted at new caregivers whose child has been newly assessed to require early intervention support, SG Enable has designed a series of resources to help caregivers understand the importance of early intervention, navigate the EIPIC application process better, and learn how they can support their child during this journey. To find out more, download the EIPIC information pack and series of parent’s guides:

 ·     Parent’s Guide: Introduction to Early Intervention

·     Parent’s Guide: Navigating EIPIC Application and Community Resources 

·     Parent’s Guide: Engaging Your Child

• Online activities for Singaporeans during the circuit breaker period.

• Disability related e-books curated by NLB.

• Virtual reality (VR) modules can help caregivers better understand how their loved ones experience the world as well as teach them life skills. 

• Advice on helping children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) cope during COVID-19
  Help for parents and caregivers to thrive during this unprecedented time of isolation by Dr Temple Grandin, International expert for Autism.

• Digital Life Skill Booklet
  Digital life skill booklet with step-by-step instructions on how to make use of apps, e.g. online shopping.

Courses

• PA Courses
  A centralised platform of initiatives and resources to support caregivers and persons with disabilities through this period of circuit breaker.
  

• LearnIn BeTheWire
  

  To equip persons with disabilities as well as their caregivers with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate digital services. 

• Online courses to learn new skills:
  • Udemy
  • LessonsGoWhere

Entertainment

• SPH Magazines
  3 months complimentary access to 3 digital magazines under Singapore Press Holdings (SPH).

• Singtel TV
  90-day free viewing of Singtel TV’s 30 channels & CAST’s 21 channels.

• Live Concerts
  Live concerts you can stream during the circuit breaker period.

Resources to Engage Children

Educational Resources

• Online Learning
  

  • A caregiver’s role is important in a child’s development journey. To empower caregivers to play a bigger role in intervention on a day-to-day basis, Thye Hua Kwan has designed some easy-to-follow resources you may use to keep your child’s development on track at home: 

    Continue your child’s development at home:

    • Honing motor and cognitive skills through simple activities (link to clothes peg activity video)
    • Encouraging interaction through play (link to Encourage Interaction by Playing Games)
    • Strengthening communication skills through daily routines (link to Mealtime and Language Development)
    • Building ability to respond through play (link to Responding to People)
    • Using PECS to develop language skills (link to Picture Exchange Communication Guide)
    • Keeping your child calm and grounded through simple massages (link to Deep Massage resource)

  • Supporting your child in his or her developmental journey can be challenging at times. These resources by Fei Yue aims to provide you with tips on how you can actively help your child learn and develop, even at home.

    • Simple speech exercises you can do with your child
    • Getting your child comfortable with writing
    • Learning pronouns the fun way
    • Encouraging your child to read
    • Creating and managing routines 
  • Preschool Home Based Activity Resources (ECDA has gathered Home-based Learning Activities and Resources designed by preschools. (updated every Monday, starting from 6 April 2020.) These materials are designed specifically for infants to K2 children.)
  • BrainPOP
  • Khan Academy
  • Discovery Education
  • Scholastic
  • The Measured Mom (easy-to-use printables for preschool to Primary 3)
  • Literative (Reading materials and activities for children up to Primary 1)
  • Starfall (up to Primary 3)
  • Outschool (Classes led by qualified teachers)
  • e-learning for kids (Learning topics that are part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum)
  • Curiousity Stream (Documentaries)

• Mathematics
  
  • Beast Academy
  • SplashLearn (up to Primary 5)
  • Cool Math 4 Kids (Lessons, quizzes and games)
  • Math Game Time (Games, videos and workshops)

•  Science and Technology
  
  • Science Kids (Lessons, experiments, games, quizzes, videos on science)
  • National Geographic Kids (Games, videos and information on animals)
  • Switch Zoo (Games, videos and information on animals)

• Others
  
  • Creative Bug (Artwork)
  • Online Art Classes
  • Tynker (Coding)
  • Highlights Kids (Activities and games)

YouTube Channels

• Crash Course Kids
  Primary School Science topics – Earth, Habitats, Space, Chemical Reactions, Engineering, and much more.

• Science Channel
  Learn about outer space, leading scientific exploration, new technology, earth science basics, & more with science videos & news from Science Channel.